After picking Chris Lynn, Mitchell McClenaghan and Mustafizur Rahman in PSL draft, Lahore Qalandars will fancy their chances in the coming third edition of PSL.
Before the start of the inaugural Pakistan Super League, Lahore Qalandars was touted to be the franchise who could win the title. But it seldom turns out like that in cricket, as a number of things must be taken into account to see a side clinch a big trophy. After dismal performances in the first editions, Lahore Qalandars can be called equivalent to what Delhi Daredevils have been in Indian Premier League for last few years.
Lahore Qalandars have not really gelled as a unit as the side has been a part of batting implosions in the league. Brendon McCullum, Fakhar Zaman, and Cameron Delport have not been able to score consistently in the competition. McCullum will be crucial for the side as former New Zealand captain must inspire his side with the bat. If he can score big runs, Lahore Qalandars will surely qualify for the playoffs.
Fakhar Zaman has hogged the limelight around the world after his match-winning ton for Pakistan to lift the ICC Champions Trophy title against India at The Oval. The left-hander will need to showcase his belligerent display with the bat if Lahore wants to turn their fortunes around in the Pakistan Super League 2018 that will start from 9th February.
Lahore Qalandars can certainly take heart from the fact such instances have happened where teams have gone from nowhere to win titles such as the case with Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) under Adam Gilchrist in 2009. Kolkata Knight Riders also failed to qualify for the playoffs in the first three season of IPL but came back strongly to win the title twice in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
Franchise owner Fawad Rana is quite optimistic that Lahore Qalandars might spring a surprise in the coming third edition of Pakistan Super League. Lahore Qalandars did showcase some smart moves in the PSL auction as they snapped up Australia’s Chris Lynn who is a reputable name in the T-20 circuit around the world.
Lynn is an incredibly gifted player who can decimate any attack in the world. He has shown credible performances in leagues like Big Bash, Caribbean Premier League to name a few and would definitely prove to be a key player for Lahore Qalandars for the forthcoming edition of PSL. Others in the batting lineup must stand for Lahore Qalandars as they will need to produce consistency to go all the way in the competition.
Mitchell McClenaghan is another player who is capable of doing the damage upfront with the new-ball and also can handy with the bat as well. Former New Zealand pace bowler has tasted in the Indian Premier League while playing for Mumbai Indians and will be focused to produce his best in the Pakistan Super League for Lahore Qalandars.
Sohail Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Aamir Yamin are good pace options for the side while Yasir Shah and Sunil Narine are two-front line spinners in the squad. Yamin is a useful cricketer who has done well at the domestic level but has not set the world alight in the first two editions. The all-rounder will be keen to showcase his abilities with ball for Lahore Qalandars in the upcoming third edition of league.
Yasir Shah did well in the previous edition with the ball for Lahore Qalandars while Narine is a top-rated performer in this format who has played in various leagues around the world.Lahore Qalandars have certainly
beefed up their resources on the bowling front after the side lacked good front-line bowlers for the first two editions of the competitions.
Lahore Qalandars certainly stand a chance to do better this season with the kind of selected in PSL draft. It still remains to be seen whether Lahore Qalandars can strike gold this time around in upcoming PSL 2018.
